Historical Events tagged with "science"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Science & Technology

Naming Ceremony for Tennessine Element

January 27th, 2017 8 years ago

A ceremony was held in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to officially name the chemical element tennessine, after the state of Tennessee. Researchers and nuclear physicists gathered to honor the contributions of Tennessee's scientific community in the discovery of this recently confirmed element. The event highlighted the collaborative efforts of various laboratories involved in the element's synthesis, showcasing the importance of scientific research and teamwork in modern chemistry.

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Space Exploration

Discovery of Proxima Centauri b Announced

August 24th, 2016 8 years ago

Proxima Centauri b, the closest exoplanet to Earth, was discovered by astronomers at the European Southern Observatory. This planet orbits within the habitable zone of its star, Proxima Centauri, which is the closest star to our own solar system, located just over four light-years away. The announcement was made public during a press conference held in Germany, highlighting the significance of finding potentially habitable worlds beyond our solar system.

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Science & Technology

Solar Impulse 2 Completes Global Flight

July 26th, 2016 8 years ago

Solar Impulse 2 achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the Earth. This extraordinary feat was completed when the aircraft landed in Abu Dhabi, completing its journey of 26,098 miles. The flight took over a year to finish and involved various legs across continents and oceans, highlighting the capabilities of solar energy in aviation.

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Space Exploration

Juno Space Probe Begins Its Jupiter Mission

July 5th, 2016 8 years ago

The Juno space probe entered orbit around Jupiter, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. Launched in 2011, Juno's objective is to study the planet's atmosphere, magnetic field, and internal structure. The probe is equipped with advanced scientific instruments to gather data over a 20-month period. This mission aims to improve understanding of the solar system's formation and the gas giant's history, providing invaluable insights into the nature of Jupiter and its role in the solar system.

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Space Exploration

Return of Scott Kelly and Mikhail Kornienko

March 31st, 2016 8 years ago

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Roscosmos cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko returned to Earth after a yearlong stay at the International Space Station. Their mission was pivotal in studying the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body, providing valuable data for future deep-space missions. The duo landed in Kazakhstan aboard a Soyuz spacecraft, greeted by a team of specialists ready to assist them after their extended mission.

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Space Exploration

Akatsuki Successfully Enters Venusian Orbit

December 7th, 2015 9 years ago

The JAXA probe Akatsuki entered orbit around Venus after a five-year journey and a previous failed attempt. The spacecraft, launched in 2010, successfully achieved orbit following a critical maneuver. This was a significant milestone for Japan's space exploration efforts, aiming to study the atmosphere and surface of Venus. Akatsuki's mission was designed to enhance our understanding of the planet's weather patterns and volcanic activity. The successful entry was celebrated as a triumph of engineering and perseverance in space exploration.

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Science & Technology

First Observation of Gravitational Waves

September 14th, 2015 9 years ago

The LIGO and Virgo collaborations made the groundbreaking discovery of gravitational waves, a phenomenon predicted by Albert Einstein. Detected on September 14, 2015, these ripples in spacetime resulted from the merger of two black holes approximately 1.3 billion light-years away. The observation marked a monumental milestone in astrophysics, as it confirmed Einstein's theories while opening new pathways in the study of the universe's most violent events.

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Space Exploration

NASA's Discovery of Kepler-452b

July 23rd, 2015 9 years ago

NASA announced the discovery of exoplanet Kepler-452b, located 1,400 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. Identified by the Kepler space telescope, this rocky planet orbits a star similar to the Sun in its habitable zone, suggesting the potential for liquid water and conditions suitable for life. The announcement highlighted Kepler-452b as the first near-Earth-sized planet found in the habitable zone of a star similar to the Sun, raising excitement in the astronomical community about the possibilities of extraterrestrial life.

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Space Exploration

New Horizons Completes Pluto Flyby

July 14th, 2015 9 years ago

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft achieved a historic flyby of Pluto, marking the first close-up analysis of the dwarf planet. Launched in 2006, New Horizons traveled over 3 billion miles to reach Pluto, offering unprecedented images and data. The mission aimed to increase understanding of Pluto's geology, atmosphere, and moons. The flyby provided insights into the icy dwarf planet's surface and its complex characteristics, igniting interest and excitement about our Solar System’s frontier.

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